The development of the insect fauna on windthrow areas

In 1990 the storm Vivian devastated large areas of forests. In Switzerland mostly mountain forests of mainly spruce trees were affected. As a part of the wind throw research program at the WSL investigations were started on the long term fauna development on windthrow areas.

Three sites were selected and each of them was subdivided into two treatments: cleared (timber removed) and uncleared (timber untouched).

Investigate species important for ecology and nature conservation (number of species, diversity, indicator species).

Since 1991 the insect fauna is monitored from spring to fall by means of various trap types.

The research questions are:

• What is the spectrum of forest pests and their antagonists, what is their succession.
• How do the composition of the fauna and its biodiversity develop.

A summary of preliminary results was published in 1995.

Detailed information in German